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A fast musical passage is most representative of a high speed chase in a film.

Musical Cliches 01

Some musical ideas get reused so often they become predictable. In this KS3 quiz, spot common clichés and learn how composers use, twist, or avoid them.

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Fascinating Fact:

A key change near the end, sometimes called a “truck driver modulation”, is a cliché used to make a song feel bigger.

In KS3 Music, learning about musical clichés helps you listen more carefully and talk about what you hear. You can recognise repeated patterns, typical chord moves, and familiar textures, then describe the effect they create and why they work.

Key Terms

Cliché: A musical idea that is used so often it can sound predictable or expected.
Ostinato: A short pattern that repeats again and again, often in the bass or rhythm.
Cadence: A set of chords that creates a sense of ending, like a musical full stop.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a musical cliché in KS3 music?

A musical cliché in KS3 Music is a pattern, sound, or idea that has been used so many times that it feels familiar. Examples include repeated chord moves, stock drum beats, or typical “build up” effects.

Why do composers use clichés in music?

Composers use clichés because they communicate quickly and listeners understand them straight away. A familiar idea can create a strong mood, support a genre style, or make a catchy hook.

How can you make a cliché sound original?

You can make a cliché sound original by changing the rhythm, moving it to a new instrument, altering the harmony, or using it in an unexpected place. Small changes can completely shift the effect.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

In terms of cliché, what type of music sounds 'happy'?

Music in a major key

Music in a minor key

Music played loudly

Music played quickly

Major keys seem to conjure up positive, happy feelings

2 .

What type of music sounds 'sad'?

Music played in a major key

Music played in a minor key

Music played slowly

Music with rapidly alternating time signatures

Remember, major = happy, minor = sad

3 .

Musical cliché can be found in .......

video game music

film music

classical music

All of the above

And more! Think about it - most music is full of cliché

4 .

What is the purpose of musical cliché in film?

To generate dramatic effect

To heighten the sense of excitement

To bring out emotion or warn the audience of danger

All of the above

The same can be said in games, music, tv etc.

5 .

What effect might a glissando best serve in film?

To represent the 'sound' of someone slipping up

To represent a gun firing

To represent a high speed chase scene

None of the above

A glissando could also be used to represent sirens

6 .

The use of tremolo in film is most commonly found in .......

action films - often played on a drum

animation films - often played on a triangle

comedy films - usually played on a piano

horror films - often played on an organ

This is particularly true of 1960s classic horror films

7 .

A fast musical passage is most representative of .......

the sun rising in a film

the sun setting in a film

a high speed chase in a film

a slow and uneventful scene in a film

First and foremost, it is highlighting tension

8 .

What is the function of a sudden dynamic in a film?

To add a sense of love in an emotional scene

To provide an unprovoked 'jump' in a horror scene

To decrease tension in a scene

None of the above

I'm sure you'll have seen a film in which a character is creeping around to slow, quiet music. Suddenly, a face appears in front of them, making you jump, and a loud burst of music adds to the effect

9 .

Which is likely to have high sounding string parts?

A horror film

A romantic film

An animation film

Theoretically, all of the above

It is usually other factors which affect mood, like key, dynamics and the like

10 .

What is the function of syncopation in film score?

To provide a feeling of psychological uncertainty

To provide the viewer with a feeling of calm

To assist as an audible 'bridge' between scenes

All of the above

Syncopation is, in essence, rhythmic tension

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Music

Author: Thomas Daish (Keyboard & Woodwind Specialist, Music Teacher & Quiz Writer)

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